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Exploring the role of renewable energy and foreign and non-foreign patents on mitigating emissions: evidence for Tunisian economy

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Abstract

This study investigates the relationships among renewable energies (RE), carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, foreign direct investment (FDI), foreign and non-foreign patents (FP, NFP), and trade (TR) for the case of Tunisia using time series data spanning the period 1980–2017. The autoregressive distributed lags (ARDL) model approach of Pesaran et al. (J Appl Econ 16:289–326, 2001) and the causality of Granger are employed to explore the dynamic association between the underlined variables. The results from the long-run elasticities show that FDI and TR have negative and statistically significant impacts on RE, while NFP has a positive and statistically significant effect on the consumption of RE. Both FP and CO2 emission variables are insignificant in the long run. In the short run, there are no Granger causal links between RE and patents (FP and NFP), but we have one-way causality running from CO2 emissions to patents (FP and NFP). In the long run, there are bidirectional causalities between RE, NFP, and TR. The Tunisian authorities must impose more stringent environmental standards to attract foreign investments that are more respectful of the environment, and import and export cleaner. It is also necessary to encourage R&D and innovation which appear to be beneficial for the environment.

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Data availability

The datasets used during the current study are available from the corresponding or first author on reasonable request.

Notes

  1. For the FP value of the year 1982, we take the mean of the 2 years 1981 and 1983.

  2. The robustness of the VECM model is checked using residuals Portmanteau tests for autocorrelations. The results from the test revealed no problem of autocorrelation. The result is available upon request.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Carthage, IHEC of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia

    Sana Ghorbal

  2. University of Manouba, ESCT, QUARG UR17ES26, Campus Universitaire Manouba, 2010, Manouba, Tunisia

    Sana Ghorbal, Mehdi Ben Jebli & Slim Ben Youssef

  3. University of Jendouba, FSJEG de Jendouba, Jendouba, Tunisia

    Mehdi Ben Jebli

Authors
  1. Sana Ghorbal
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  2. Mehdi Ben Jebli
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  3. Slim Ben Youssef
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Contributions

Sana Ghorbal: introduction, literature review, concept-building, data. Mehdi Ben Jebli: methods, analysis, and supervision. Slim BenYoussef: literature review, editing, discussion, conclusion, and implications.

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Correspondence to Mehdi Ben Jebli.

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Ghorbal, S., Ben Jebli, M. & Ben Youssef, S. Exploring the role of renewable energy and foreign and non-foreign patents on mitigating emissions: evidence for Tunisian economy. Environ Sci Pollut Res 28, 36018–36028 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13108-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13108-0

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